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    Home » Our latest posts » Vegetable Salads

    Cool and Creamy Cucumber and Yogurt Salad (aka Jajuk or Armenian Summer Soup)

    September 8, 2015 Filed Under: Vegetable Salads, Vegetables

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Summer Soup (Jajuk or jajik) is an Armenian cucumber and yogurt salad. Similar to Tzatziki, chaka chalop, okroshka.

    Jajuk, Armenian Summer Soup, is a middle eastern dish of yogurt and cucumbers with onions, mint and dill. It is a delicious summer salad for barbecues and picnics.

    bowl of cucumbers in yogurt with text overlay "Cucumbers in yogurt Jajuk: Armenian Summer Soup"

    Most, if not all, Middle Eastern cuisines have their own variation of yogurt and cucumber salad or soup. The Greeks add garlic and call it Tzatziki, the Armenians go with mint and dill and call it Jajuk. Which translates to Summer Soup. My Armenian "expert", Jamie from I am Not the Babysitter, told me some people use more yogurt than vegetables so it is more soup like.

    When I posted the photo above to the FMS Photo A Day group, a wonderful fellow member, Callie Raykhonov, gave me the following information about this dish in Uzbekistan and Russia:

    I make something similar that I learned in Uzbekistan (made last night in fact) and wanted to see how similar your recipe was. Quite similar but I put radishes and lots of minced garlic. And we actually add water to make it more like soup. My husband is from Bukhara where they speak Tajik and it's called "chaka chalop" Russians add kvas (fermented bread drink) and call it "okroshka"

    Your foodie lesson for the day.

    The original recipe came from a college friend of my dad's and he and mom tweaked it a little bit to make it more like a salad, which is what is listed below. If you want it more soup like, add water or kvass. Of course I might just have to search around to find some kvass to try it for myself.

    This comes together quickly, but you want to make it a few hours ahead of time to let the flavors blend.

    Summer Soup – Cucumbers and Yogurt – Jajuk

    bowl of cucumbers in yogurt with text overlay "Cucumbers in yogurt Jajuk: Armenian Summer Soup"
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 cups plain yogurt (or 1 cup greek yogurt)
    • 2 Medium cucumbers
    • ½ cup red onions (diced)
    • ¼ cup fresh mint (finely minced)
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • salt and white pepper to taste
    • ¼ cup fresh dill (finely minced (optional))

    Instructions
     

    • If using regular yogurt: Fold cheese cloth into 6 layers and place over sieve. Place sieve layered with cheese cloth over a bowl allowing 2 inch space below sieve to collect excess liquid without touching bottom.
    • Scoop yogurt into cheese cloth and wrap cheese cloth around yogurt. Cover all with plastic wrap. Allow to sit in refrigerator over night until liquid had drained from yogurt.
    • Scrape yogurt with rubber spatula from cheese cloth into non-metal bowl.
    • Peel cucumbers and cut in half lengthwise Using a teaspoon, scoop out seeds. Discard seeds. Cut each half into 6 fairly even slices lengthwise. Cut crosswise to make approximately ¼ to ½ inch dices.
    • Stir in remaining ingredient and let flavors meld in refrigerator for 2 or more hours. Adjust seasoning if needed

    Notes

    This is called Summer Soup, but I have always had it as more of a salad. Do not strain the yogurt, or add water, if you want to make it more soup-like as they do in many other cultures.

    Danielle from Creatively Homespun, Audrey at That Recipe, and Ashley from Forgetful Momma are our co-hosts for September.

    Please make sure that you follow them in at least one way!  They will be commenting on and pinning many of your posts.

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    Until next time, happy eating.
    ~Audrey

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com

      September 08, 2015 at 6:08 am

      Audrey, I like the way you make it -- thick and no garlic. Looks so refreshing. Now's the perfect time for me to make it.

      Reply
      • [email protected] Recipe

        September 08, 2015 at 6:24 am

        I like tzatziki too. But the garlic can be overpowering with some dishes. This is a bit lighter and great for almost anything in the summer.

    2. Winnie

      September 08, 2015 at 6:24 am

      It's a wonderful summer soup 🙂 I like it!!
      Thanks for the party Audrey and for this recipe

      Reply
      • [email protected] Recipe

        September 10, 2015 at 3:15 pm

        Thanks, Winnie!

    3. Marlys (This and That)

      September 08, 2015 at 6:44 am

      This cucumber dish sounds like the something that I ate in Sweden with dill. I am going to give it a try and see if it is similar... Pinned.

      Reply
      • Audrey

        September 12, 2015 at 10:05 am

        Thanks, Marlys. I appreciate your support.

    4. Lou Lou Girls

      September 08, 2015 at 10:53 am

      Hello beautiful! Thank you for hosting such an amazing party! Please take a minute to stop by ours and let us pin and tweet your masterpieces! Lou Lou Girls

      Reply
      • [email protected] Recipe

        September 10, 2015 at 3:15 pm

        Thanks for partying with us every week.

    5. Sarah Eliza @ devastateboredom

      September 09, 2015 at 7:14 am

      Oooh fun! I will be sure to come play next week. 🙂

      Reply
      • [email protected] Recipe

        September 10, 2015 at 3:14 pm

        Thanks, Sarah! I really enjoy your link up too (but I only participate from my other site since this is only food)

    6. Lorelai @ Life With Lorleai

      September 10, 2015 at 9:47 pm

      What an interesting dish. I love learning about international recipes, so fascinating. Thanks for sharing and being a wonderful co-host of the #HomeMattersParty - we love having you on the team! 🙂

      ~Lorelai
      Life With Lorelai

      Reply
      • Audrey

        September 12, 2015 at 10:01 am

        Thanks, Lorelai. I do love to Party!

    7. Sarena @ Teal Inspiration

      September 11, 2015 at 12:28 pm

      This looks delicious. I've had similar dishes but not exactly like this one. I'll have to try it! Great to be co-hosting the #HomeMattersParty with you!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        September 12, 2015 at 10:00 am

        There are so many variations depending on the region. And all are equally delicious in my opinion.

    8. Kathy

      September 16, 2015 at 5:00 am

      Looks good. I'd like to try this. Thank you for sharing at the Recipe Swap.

      Reply
      • Audrey

        September 18, 2015 at 4:51 pm

        Glad you like it, Kathy.

    9. Kim~madeinaday

      September 16, 2015 at 6:27 am

      I think I have had this as a salad! We are so excited that you linked up to Merry Monday this week! Sharing your post today on our MM Pinterest Board. Come back next Monday for another great party share! Party opens Sunday night! Have a great week!
      Best,
      Kim

      Reply
      • Audrey

        September 18, 2015 at 4:51 pm

        Thanks, Kim. I look forward to Merry Mondays, so much fun stuff every week.

    10. Shann Eva

      September 16, 2015 at 7:55 pm

      Yum. This looks wonderful! So glad to be hosting #HomeMattersParty with you this week!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        September 18, 2015 at 4:50 pm

        Thanks for stopping by!

    11. Lynn Spencer

      June 07, 2016 at 5:14 pm

      Audrey, I make tzatziki which is very similar but I have never added mint to it. My garden is bursting with mint right now, as well as cucumbers, so this will be on the menu very soon.
      Thanks for sharing this 'oldie but goodie' from your archives and hope to see you again this week.
      Have a great day, Lynn

      Reply

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